International Standards and other publications are the result of full or limited international consensus among the IEC's members (National Committees). Any member of the IEC may participate in the preparatory work of an International Standard, and any liaison organization i.e. international, broad regional organizations, consortia and fora may also participate in this preparation.

IEC publications are bilingual in English and French, while the Russian Federation National Committee prepares Russian-language editions. Certain publications have also been translated into Spanish.